Christian Living

INTRODUCTION

The Scripture has always played an important part within our little family. We always held to the sanctity of God’s holy Word. We were never allowed to place anything on top of the Bible for fear of a trip to the old woodshed altar. I remember when he was just a mere lad, our grandson requested a Bible. Not any Bible, it had to be a black Bible with the inscription of Holy Bible etched in gold lettering.

This past Christmas, that very grandson and family gave me a new Charles Ryrie American Standard study Bible. Of which I am so proud.

Now, I sincerely trust this little blog will meet your fancy. Why not give it a whirl? Shall we title it “My Talking Bible”. By the way, does your Bible ever talk to you?

I was tossing and turning in my sleep, when I suddenly awakened, profusely sweating. I tried to shake it but couldn’t. Was it a dream, a vision? No, because I was suddenly wide awake. The entire world was staring me in the face, in vivid living color.

What was worrying me so? I had no real reason for my actions. I surely hoped I didn’t awaken my wife. I’ll just ease into the kitchen and have a nice cold glass of chocolate milk, and maybe a cookie.

Nonetheless, I just couldn’t shake the scenery in front of me. It was as if the daily newspaper was lying on top of my open Bible. It was as if my Bible was talking straight to me. Could this be happening now, I wondered?

As I turned the pages of my Bible, my thought process just kept coming to me. Shouldn't I stop reading the daily newspaper, in respect of reading my Bible, of my daily prayer life?

Thus, by divine intervention, I continued to be directed to certain Scriptures, respecting the last days, as we know them to be.

“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people. (II Timothy 3:1-9)

Wow, is this not today's America? Then, it continued.

“For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrines. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” (II Timothy 4:3-4)

Well, I survived. The sun had begun its normal daily activity of shining in the sky. There was a new day dawning across the homeland. I quickly got over the unease. In fact, as a result of lost sleep, I even returned to over-sleeping a bit. I didn't tell it at all to my wife. It was my own little military secret.

Do you wonder about America? Are you like me? Do you wonder about the present and future of our great Republic of America? What’s in store for our civilization now and into the future? What is the outcome for our nation?

According to past history, the average lifespan of the world civilizations has been about two hundred years or so. Obviously, America’s demise is now overdue. So, according to today’s progressive culture, shouldn't we increase our prayers for America?

I will wonder no more. All I need to do is search the Scriptures, for they are firm on the events of our Creator’s universe past, present, and on into the future.

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” (II Timothy 3:16)

Politics no longer dominates my thinking. Nor does the conversation generated by today’s socialist drive-by news outlets. And nor do the lies of all the television sitcoms. Sad to say, nonetheless, the many false religious teachings, presented over the air waves, also fit into the above mix.

So, what about the present, America? Have we, as a progressive Woke generation, forgotten all about the providential powers of our living Creator, God?

“Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been declared to you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, who stretches out the heavens like a curtain And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in. He it is who reduces rulers to nothing, who makes the judges of the earth meaningless.” (Isaiah 40:21-23)

What are we to do about today’s American progressive socialist culture? It’s simple, we have to be patient and wait on Him. (Isaiah 40: 31) And we must never forget the truths of the gospel, and about that Old Time Religion.

“Thus, saith the LORD, stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, we will not walk therein.” (Jeremiah 6:16)

After gathering my thoughts, and after indulging in my big breakfast, I continued my thinking, along with a bit of research on America.

Did our living Creator, God, have a specific plan for America? Yes, according to Dr. David Jeremiah, “It seems clear that God does have a plan for America. It is true that we have no direct reference to that plan in the Old or New Testaments, but that does not discount the fact that God has a sovereign purpose for America in His redemption plan.”

President Ronald Reagan put it this way, “I have always believed that this anointed land was set apart in an uncommon way, that a divine plan placed this great continent here between two oceans to be found by people from every corner of the earth who had a special love of faith and freedom.

Yes, our living Creator, God, has always been in control of America. He divinely appoints both good and evil rulers to affect His divine will for America.

“Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: And he changes the times and the seasons: he removes kings and sets up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding.” (Daniel 2:20-21)

Time always seems to fly when you are having fun, so they say. The reason is, of course, because we are always trying to kill it. And it surely went by fast for me, in jotting down this brief faith-based blog. I trust you enjoyed reading it as much as I did get it all together. Amen.

CONCLUSION

I trust you will study along with me, in continuing to open the Scriptures together, concerning the end times, which I feel are fast approaching.

“The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.” (I Timothy 4:1-2)

For the Scripture plainly, tells us in the last days, civilization will have an immunity to the end time prophesies.

“Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” (II Peter 3:3-4)

So, let us keep looking up to the skies, and keep our ears tuned for the trumpet blast. Amen! (I Corinthians 15:51-52) (I Thessalonians 4:13-18)

So, come now, let us pray together for our Nation.

"Almighty God, ruler of all the peoples of the earth, please forgive our wicked ways as a nation and cleanse our hearts to see and love the truth. Peace In the Land: As the days become increasingly dark in our country, I pray that the light of Your love will shine on this land." Amen!